Travis Scott Criticized for Removing Transgender Model Amanda Lepore From ‘Astroworld’ Cover
The arrival of Travis Scott's highly-anticipated third studio album Astroworld is just a mere 48 hours away, but not without a few bumps in the road. Today (Aug. 1) the artist is catching heat for reportedly removing a suggestive image of transgender model Amanda Lepore from the alternate "night" cover of the album.
La Flame shared two versions of the album's official cover art each shot by famed photographer David LaChapelle. In each photograph the entrance of a theme park is depicted with striking contrasts, one is a familial shot featuring children, and the other is far more explicit and decorated with naked women. The alternative version of the album's cover art was apparently missing one minor detail: Amanda Lepore.
In a version of the second cover, posted by LaChapelle, the model appears on the left side of the golden Travis Scott head as she stares into the camera over her shoulder. However, in Travis's post of the cover, Lepore has been removed. When the trans icon became aware that she'd been removed, Lepore questioned the decision and shared her concerns via her Instagram account.
"It was great being part of @david_lachapelle s incredible photograph of @travisscott s albulm cover but I’m curious why I’m not on the picture @travisscott posted 💋❤️💄." To which LaChapelle responded, "because you were a bad bad girl lol it's not for any other reason."
Naturally, Lepore's fans and many other members of the LGBTQ community are still seeking answers and are questioning if Travis' decision to remove the model was rooted in transphobia. However, LaChapelle has directly responded to one of those claims, by writing on Instagram, "Everybody wants to explain everything with some phobia or whatever. This is a case of something else she can't seem to control lol. Ain't nothing to do with hating."
XXL has reached out to Travis Scott's team for a comment.
Take a look at the discrepancies in the cover art below.
See Photos of Travis Scott's Different Looks Over the Years